Russland Beeches

The Lake District National Parks Authority (LDNPA) acquired the Russland Beeches in, or before, 1984 “to preserve their amenity value and conserve wildlife”, but they now want to fell the lot.

A petition of 3, 500 signatures was handed into the LDNPA and an independent report commissioned and paid for by locals, and South Lakeland FoE, found that the majority of the trees are very healthy and say that two hundred years for Beeches is only ‘mature’ from a timber production point of view. A group of seven tree surgeons have offered to do some sensitive tree surgery work for free as they know that that is all there is a need for.

The LDNPA disagree, their reasons are that the roadside trees are so old and in such bad condition that they are a danger to passing motorists. Locals are awaiting a report from the DoE that could lift Tree Preservation Orders on the Beeches which would give the final clearance for the trees to be felled, but there is still hope that the felling will not go ahead. The special report is expected any day now. If the decision goes against locals wishes there may will be a call out for direct action. Local campaigners have also had police on the phone wanting names of people interested in going up there to help defend trees! They refused. Contact: 01539 563671.